Grant has been successful in getting funds as part of a new $6.5 million Plant Biosecurity Cooperative Research Centre (PBCRC) project, Optimising Surveillance Protocols Using Unmanned Aerial Systems.
Under the three-year project aerial robots and UASs will be fitted with new high-tech imaging equipment to test how effective they are in identifying pests and diseases in horticultural and grains industries. Improved methods for predicting where and when to fly the UASs to detect pests and invasive species will also be developed.
Grant will be responsible for developing better surveillance methods for yellow stripe rust in wheat, using statistical models to improve the timing and location of flights.
For further information:http://www.pbcrc.com.au/news/2014/pbcrc/media-release-unmanned-aerial-systems-biosecurity